Thank you for your interest in giving to scholarship funds for students with financial need. If you want to add your gift to one of the scholarships below, you can give safely online or by mail to our office.

Arthur Ira Berman Scholarship Fund

Rhoda Augustine, whose son Dr. Harry Berman served as Provost and Interim Chancellor at UIS, has created a scholarship in memory of her son Arthur Ira Berman. For 25 years, Arthur Berman was director of the Learning Resource Center at the East Arkansas Community College, and in 2001, he received the Distinguished Service Award from the Arkansas Library Association. He passed away in 2005 at age 55. The Arthur Ira Berman Scholarship will be awarded to a student with financial need and in good academic standing.

Capital Scholars Foundation Scholarship

UIS admits a small number of highly qualified first-year college students into the Capital Scholars Honors Program, a four-year baccalaureate program that combines an integrated core of general education courses with study of a foreign language and any of UIS’ 20 undergraduate majors. The Capital Scholars Scholarship is one of the award-based components of the program. The scholarship currently grants awards at four scholarship levels, all of which are renewable for up to four years. “Capital Scholars” can receive a scholarship award for up to four years. All recipients must be full-time, residential students and maintain high academic merit to retain scholarship renewals for succeeding academic years of eligibility.

Chancellor Richard E. and Carolyn J. Ringeisen Scholarship

Alumni and friends gave gifts to establish this endowed scholarship fund in honor of the former chancellor and his wife, especially in recognition of their leadership. Richard Ringeisen became Chancellor of UIS in 2001. During his years as Chancellor, UIS grew into a full-fledged four-year university and became a national leader in online education. The campus added University Hall Building, The Recreation and Athletic Center, and numerous townhouse residences. UIS also developed a rich cultural life, including music and performing arts, and became one of four major art venues in Springfield. Athletics added four new sports, and the colonnade was built on the UIS Quad. Carolyn Ringeisen was an active partner with her husband in the many special events and activities at the university. She was a member of the foundation board of the Springfield Boys and Girls club and also served on the board of the Illinois Symphony Orchestra. A member of the Symphony Guild, the City Garden Club and Lake Garden Club, she also volunteered at Grace Lutheran Food Pantry.

Mrs. Lee Ensel Scholarship

The Mrs. Lee Ensel Scholarship is established through the generosity of Eileen Ensel, wife of the late Lee Ensel, to help fund the education of a student in need. There is no other criteria involved.

Filipino Physicians of Illinois Scholarship

Awarded to a student with financial need, with preference given to minority students.

Ethel Gingold Scholarship Fund

Named Springfield’s Copley First Citizen in 2003, Ethel Gingold has been known as a champion for equality, justice, and civil rights. She cared deeply education, and about the University of Illinois Springfield in particular, so it’s hardly surprising that she created a scholarship at UIS. She wanted to help students with financial need who maintained a 3.5 grade point average. Always on the side of those who face struggles, Ethel added one more request: that preference be given to a student who has had to overcome a challenge while pursuing a degree.

Henry and Margaret Kirschner Scholarship

Banking pioneer, Henry Kirschner, began his financial career – fresh out of high school – on July 31, 1933 in the middle of the Great Depression. Yet hard work, vision and a love for people eventually brought Mr. Kirschner, founder of Town and Country Bank, into a realm of prominence. Through Kirschner, Springfield residents first experienced Saturday banking hours and drive-through windows for even more convenient banking. Established in 2004, the Henry and Margaret Kirschner Scholarship is awarded in the area of greatest scholarship need as determined by the university.

Leatherwood-Monson Family Scholarship

The Leatherwood-Monson Family Scholarship was established in 2005 to benefit a full-time UIS student who is a first-generation minority college student. To qualify, neither the parents nor grandparents of the applicant can have attended a four-year university. Applicants must also have a min. GPA of 2.5 or better. The L-MFS is a part of the Capital Steps scholarship drive, a fundraising endeavor aimed at increasing the availability of merit and need-based scholarships at UIS, while providing ample recognition to participating donors.

Organization of Asian Americans Scholarship

Awarded to a student with financial need; preference given to minority students.

Michael Owens Memorial Scholarship

Created for a student with financial need, with preference given to former or current patients of a St. Jude’s facility and secondarily to a student who has overcome a serious medical obstacle.

Louise Hartman Schewe Scholarship

Louise Hartman Schewe, a philanthropist and former teacher, was a long-time supporter of UIS and its mission to provide “an intellectually rich, collaborative and intimate learning environment for students.” Louise was a teacher and active civic leader whose interests included the Springfield Art Association and the Illinois Symphony Guild. Upon her death in 2006, Louise Schewe left a generous bequest in support of UIS.

William and Mary Schnirring Scholarship

As long-time supporters of the Springfield community, the William and Mary Schnirring Scholarship is a natural extension of the philanthropic history of the Schnirrings. Mr. Schnirring is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Springfield Electric Supply Company, which has its corporate headquarters in Springfield and is one of the 50 largest electrical supply companies in the nation. Mr. Schnirring received a Copley Newspaper First Citizen Award and as a volunteer has provided leadership to numerous non-profit boards, contributing behind the scenes to create new opportunities for residents of Illinois. He has also received numerous awards for his service related to education, conservation, and philanthropy.

Springfield Electric Scholarship

As long-time supporter of the Springfield community, the Capital Steps – Springfield Electric Scholarship is a natural extension of the philanthropic history Mr. Bill Schnirring, CEO of Springfield Electric. Capital Steps is a fundraising endeavor aimed at increasing the availability of merit and need-based scholarships at UIS.